Session P12 - Transportation, Energy and The Environment: Progress.
INVITED session, Monday morning, May 01
101B, Convention Center
Onboard hydrogen production using compact plasmatron fuel converters has the potential to significantly improve the environmental quality of automobiles, trucks and buses. Plasmatron electric discharge technology has been employed to develop compact, rapid response and efficient devices which convert of a wide range of fuels into hydrogen-rich gas. Hydrogen rich gas has beneficial effects on engine operation and may also be useful in exhaust aftertreatment. Use of compact plasmatron fuel converters with present spark ignition engine technology could facilitate a 70-90% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions from automobiles. Nitrogen oxides are a major ingredient in the production of smog. Hydrocarbon emissions could also be significantly reduced. Hydrogen-rich gas could also be employed to reduce pollution from Diesel engine vehicles. There could also be applications to hybrid and fuel cell powered vehicles. In addition, hydrogen generation using compact plasmatron fuel converters might be employed to facilitate the use of biomass derived fuels including oils by onboard conversion into hydrogen-rich gas. Use of biomass derived fuels on board could lead to a net reduction in CO2 production. Compact plasmatron fuel converters facilitate hydrogen production from partial oxidation of hydrocarbon fuels by providing increased reactive species, mixing and increased temperatures. Experimental studies of hydrogen production from compact plasmatron fuel converters and effects on laboratory engine operation will be discussed.